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Singapore’s location at the southern end of the Malay Peninsula has made it one of the world’s most important ports for several hundred years. A stopping point along the busy shipping routes connecting Europe to China, it was moulded by a fascinating mosaic of cultural and architectural influences, including the “Black and White house.”

The style started to appear after the British East India Company “acquired” the Island of Singapore in 1819 from the Sultan of Johore. It’s a mash-up of Colonial architecture, Art Deco, and Arts and Crafts references mixed with regional vernacular, such as deep porches that provide protection from the punishingly hot sun.

Such multi-layered design might seem the antithesis of the crisp, resolutely modern esthetic New York-based designer Sara Story www.sarastorydesign.com has become known for since opening her firm in 2003.

Interesting, then, that a couple building a house for themselves and their three children in Singapore’s Bin Tong Park neighbourhood turned to Story. They wanted a home that married historical influences, such as the Black and White style, to contemporary design. In fact, the matchup was fortuitous: as a child, Story had lived in a Black and White house in Singapore.

“They were interested in Black and White houses, but they wanted some contemporary flair,” says Story. “They liked some of the Colonial architectural details, but were also drawn to European influences. They wanted some formal rooms, but also needed space that was family-friendly and super comfortable. So, the challenge was to meld all those elements together into a dialogue.”

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On top of the competing demands of the design brief, there was the climate. At just one degree north of the equator, Singapore lies in a tropical rainforest.

“There’s so much moisture in the air,” says Story. “It can destroy things pretty quickly, so you have to make sure every metal is properly coated and that you use the right woods and marbles.”

Story’s first step after being hired was to travel to view the extensive collection of Asian art and porcelain owned by the wife, and the European antiques that came from the husband’s side of the family.

“We talked about what was significant to them,” says Story, adding that it was important to include some of these pieces because “for an interior to have atmosphere and personality, you have to represent the life of the family and its past.”

Blending new and old became a theme in the 13,000-square-foot home, which includes three children’s bedrooms, master suite, guest suite, family room, media room, two outdoor spaces and an outdoor pool.

Scale was equally important. In the living room, an 18-foot ceiling gave Story the chance to indulge her taste for statement-making, sculptural chandeliers.

“They help to play with the volume of the space. But in the room itself, I did smaller chairs and small-scene arrangements. We thought a lot about details — any of the custom furniture we did had very tailored arms and dainty legs.”

Story’s favourite space is the dining room — inspired by the Peacock Room in the Smithsonian Institution, itself a recreation of a shimmering, sumptuous room designed by 19th-century artist James McNeill Whistler. Evocative elements — velvety blue-green hues, antique Italian cabinets, Murano wall sconces, and a custom walnut and brass dining table — are used in Story’s design.

That such a visual symphony should appeal to Story came as something of a surprise.

“I can be a little austere sometimes,” she admits. “But (the clients) really wanted to keep going, to keep layering, so it pushed me. I’ve never done anything like that dining room. But I love how alive and interesting it is. I guess it’s good to be challenged. It means you have to grow.”

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